Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the anti-aircraft artillery (aaa) category.
01 / Overview
M163 Vulcan Air Defense System
Category
Country
Production
1968–1979
Quantity
654
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY (AAA) · COLD WAR
14
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
76
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the anti-aircraft artillery (aaa) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Service Entry Year1968
- Combat Weight12,310 kg
- Travel Weight11,200 kg
- Crew4
- Carriage / PlatformM741 tracked carrier
- In ServiceYes
◈Ordnance8MOD.8
- Calibre20 mm
- Barrel Length (calibres)55
- Ordnance Type20x102mm rotary cannon
- Breech Typerotating drum
- Recoil SystemMuzzle Brake
- Muzzle BrakeYes
- Bore EvacuatorNo
- Tube Life (rounds)100,000
▣Performance8MOD.8
- Minimum Range0.3 km
- Maximum Range (standard)1.2 km
- Maximum Range (rocket-assisted)1.8 km
- Muzzle Velocity1,030 m/s
- Rate of Fire (burst)3,000
- Rate of Fire (sustained)1,000
- Elevation+80° / -5°
- Traverse360°
◇Ammunition8MOD.8
- Projectile Weight0.1 kg
- Ammunition TypesHEI-T, API-T, TP
- HE RoundYes
- Smoke RoundNo
- Illumination RoundNo
- Cluster / DPICMNo
- Precision-Guided RoundNo
- MRSI CapableNo
◆Fire Control5MOD.5
▤Mobility9MOD.9
- Self-PropelledYes
- Prime MoverM741 tracked carrier
- Emplacement Time5
- Displacement Time2
- Shoot-and-ScootNo
- Road Speed (if SP)64 km/h
- Range (if SP)443 km
- AutoloaderYes
- Protected Crew CabYes
⬢Ammunition Handling3MOD.3
- Ready Rounds1,200
- Total Rounds Carried2,030
- Resupply VehicleM548
▲Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length4.864 m
- Width2.855 m
- Height2.921 m
◎Production2MOD.2
- Total Production654
- Production Start1,965 year
◈Self-Propelled Chassis6MOD.6
- Engine Power212 hp
- TransmissionAllison TX-100-1
- Suspensiontorsion bar, 5 road wheels
- Hull ArmourRolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminium, -
- Secondary ArmamentNone
- NBC ProtectionNo
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1968Production started
- 1979Production ended
- 1981Sale: Morocco (110 units)
- 1986Sale: Portugal (36 units)
- 1999Sale: Chile (44 units)
- 2024Last sale: Ecuador (44 units)
58
years in service
11
years in production
654
units produced
12
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
M163 VULCAN AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win
Total Conflicts
6
Victories
3
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2002Operation Defensive Shield—→1989–1990United States invasion of PanamaDecisive victory→1982–19851982 Lebanon War—→1975–1991Western Sahara War—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory9country · 490units
490active
M163 Vulcan Air Defense SystemSALES9records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |  Ecuador | 44 | — | — |
| 2019 |  Thailand | 24 | — | — |
| 1999 |  Chile | 44 | — | — |
| 1986 |  Portugal | 36 | — | — |
| 1981 |  Morocco | 110 | — | — |
| 1981 |  Sudan | 8 | — | — |
| 1979 |  Yemen | 34 | — | — |
| — |  Jordan | 100 | — | — |
| — |  Israel | — | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY (AAA) RANKING Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
56ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY (AAA)14COLD WAR · ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY (AAA)1165UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS99PERFORMANCE/PRICE · ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY (AAA)
ⓘ Rankings are within theAnti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
A digital fire-control system employs computational algorithms to calculate and adjust artillery fire parameters, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in towed systems.
High Explosive (HE) round: an artillery or mortar projectile containing explosive filler designed to inflict damage through blast and fragmentation effects.
A device attached to a firearm's muzzle to redirect propellant gases, reducing recoil and muzzle rise during firing.
An armored crew compartment on towed artillery or mortar systems designed to protect operators from small arms fire, shrapnel, and blast effects during operation.
Artillery system with integrated propulsion, enabling movement under its own power rather than being towed.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources